New Zealand Under-19s 281-5 (Robert O’Donnell 107*, Shawn Hicks 70, Leo Carter 48*) beat UAE 169 49.4 overs (Chirag Suri 57, Jack Hunter 3-33, Jeremy Benton 2-16) by 112 runs.
New Zealand Under-19 captain Robert O'Donnell made an unbeaten 107 to lead his side to an 112 run win over UAE in their ICC Under-19 World Cup Group D match at the Sharjah International Cricket Stadium overnight.
The win keeps alive New Zealand’s chance of advancing through
to the quarter-finals.
Having won the toss and opted to bat, New
Zealand were reduced to 50 for three at one stage, before O’Donnell combined
with Shawn Hicks (70) to add 145 for the fourth wicket. O’Donnell, at his
second World Cup, smashed six fours and four sixes in his 117 ball stay. A
final rally from Leo Carter (48 from 36 balls) pushed New Zealand to a very
healthy total of 281 for five.
In reply Chirag Suri provided the greatest resistance with the bat for the hosts, notching 57 from 77 balls, but he was unable to form a valuable partnership with any of the other batsmen and never really threatened New Zealand’s total.
All the New Zealand bowlers had success with the
ball, but Jack Hunter was the chief wicket-taker with figures of three for 33
from 9.4 overs.
The victory was secured for the Kiwi side after
49.4 overs, with UAE bowled out for 169. Having already lost to England, the
home side will now compete in the second-tier Plate competition.
The New Zealand team square off against England on Tuesday, with the winner to
advance through to the quarter-finals.
